ECITYOF  Doraville Diervity, Vitality, Community  City Council Public Hearing Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Meeting Minutes City Hall Council Chambers 3725 Park Avenue Doraville, Georgia 30340  Prepared by: Emmie Niethammer  11a.m.  .  CALL TOORDER  Mayor Joseph Geierman called the meeting to order,  II. ROLL CALL  Mayor Jospeh Geierman, Council Members Gerald Evans, Warren Simmons, Stephe Koontz,  Maria T. Alexander, and Christopher Henshaw were present. Council Member Andy Yeoman was absent. III. APPROVAL OF MEETING. AGENDA  Council Member Alexander made ai motion, a second was made by Council  Member Evans, to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion carried unanimously (5-0)  AYES/ YES: Evans, Simmons, Alexander, Koontz, and Henshaw  NAYS/ NO: None ABSTAIN: None IV. PUBLIC HEARING  1.1 Public Hearing for the 2023 Millage Rate  Finance Director, China Agu, provide a brief presentation regarding the millage rate for 2023. She gave an explanation of the exemptions available to Doraville residents, the current rate, rollback rates, 2022 Tax Year VS. 2023 Tax Year. The recommendation is 9.0  mils.  Mayor Geierman opened the public hearing.  Hand raised in Zoom, Mr. Thomas Hart, resident, provided comments regarding why believes the city is atai millage rate of 101 mils. Feels like the city should get the financial house in order. Believes the mil rate needs tol bel below 9.0, that the financials oft the city should bej posted at city hall and at the local library on a monthly basis. John Lowe, resident, concerned ini the rise ini the proposed millage rate. Wanted to see what the budget would look like with the support ofa9.0 millage rate. Understands the increase in cost for everything. Expressed concerns regarding the economic view oft the citizens. Everyone is strapped for cash because oft the economic outlook for the country  and state.  The mayor closed the public hearing.    Mayor Geierman also provided some background to the citizens regarding the mistake on the tax digest the city received from the Tax Commissioners. It did not have the current homestead exemptions in them. The other piece ofinformation discussed at the previous public hearing was regarding the budget. The city manager discussed the move oft the budget to October sO that the city would have a better understanding oft the funds Mayor Geierman asked ift the council had any comments regarding the public hearing. Council member Koontz commented millage rate approved last year was 9.5 mils. The council is actually proposing to lower the millage rate. Last year the citizens voted to approve al referendum last fall for the new homestead exemption lowers the millage rate another 2.5 points. The estimate mailed to residents unfortunately left off this exemption Council member Evan commented the property values have gone up. The Council ist trying tor reduce the millage while maintaining al balance for the budget to fund the police, staff and their benefits. Reminded residents they can apply for the homestead exemption by Council: member Henshaw commented on the DeKalb County verses the City ofDoraville Council member Alexander commented that the city does a really good job of making sure the people applying for the homestead exemption are actually eligible to receive the exemption. Over the years we. have had homeowners who are: renting the property do not qualify. The city cannot control thej property values. This can be a little bit confusing. But the council is actually trying to lower the millage rate. The financial standing now is substantially better than it was when she came on the city council. Council member Simmons added the additional amount the council is looking to receive it tol help build al buffer. He would like to look at more community improvements as they Mayor Geierman stated there would be another Public Hearing on this matter later in the  available.  which was part oft the error mentioned by the mayor.  April 1 ofeach year. That could offset some of the increase. tax bills. The School Board reducing their part of the millage rate.  look at the budget. evening.  V. ADJOURNMENT  Council Member Alexander made a motion, Council Member Koontz seconded, to adjourn. The  motion carried unanimously (5-0).  AYES/ YES: Evans, Simmons, Alexander, Henshaw, and Koontz  NAYS/NO: None ABSTAIN: None  Approved: k  2    Joseph Geierman, Mayor  Attest: Shanta  2 Bingham, Eity-elerk  3